Sandy M’s review of Reckless Behavior (Bad Behavior, Book 3) by L.A. Witt & Cari Z
Contemporary Gay Romantic Suspense published by Riptide Published 30 Dec 17
I learned about this writing team of L.A. Witt and Cari Z when I received the first book in this series to judge in a contest. Of course, at that time I hadn’t read either of them, so I was very pleasantly surprised when I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and story, but it’s the characters who make it all worth the sit-down to read. I love Andreas and Darren. Both are wonderfully written and their day-to-day life, both personal and professional, is action packed and emotional.
First off, I have to say that if you’ve not read this series, don’t start with this third book. It does stand alone, no doubt, but to get the full impact of these two men who love and work together, you need to be with them from the beginning. It’s just better, believe me. Their relationship from beginning to end, and all the rockiness in between, builds from being forced together to staying together because of who they are from first meeting. You will miss so much if you don’t start with Book 1.
In this installment, Andreas’ life becomes a nightmare when three of his four children have been kidnapped, the fourth hurt during the process. He’s still regaining strength and mobility from a broken ankle on a previous case, but not even that, nor his higher-ups, will keep him from finding his kids. Darren is right by his side, trying to balance taking care of Andreas – as much as his partner allow – while searching and digging to make sure the Ruffner children are found safe. Darren has his own life issues – a brother in the midst of Alzheimer’s kicks him in the gut every time he thinks about his sibling, which is a lot more and more.
But these two make it work, despite the leads, dead ends, twists and turns, and blocks they encounter throughout the case. They are top-notch detectives, even when the entire department has been against them for their whistle-blowing in an earlier story. The emotions from each of them never stops as the story and search goes on. Their love for each other is obvious in so many ways, overcoming everything life throws at them, as long as they’re together. I love, love, love these characters!
Since I read and enjoy HelenKay Dimon’s gay romances, I’ve been looking for other authors who can and do keep me interested and give me memorable characters. So far L.A. Witt and Cari Z are the only ones I’ve found. There is only one other book in this series – which I also enjoyed – and as far as I can tell, after that there isn’t any more to come about Andreas and Darren. Makes me sad that may be so. I would read about them for eternity if I could.
Grade: A
Summary:
After too many years of putting his job first, Detective Andreas Ruffner is getting his priorities straight. He’s ready to spend some quality time with his adult kids, not to mention come clean about some things he should’ve told them a long time ago. And introduce them to his partner and boyfriend, Darren Corliss.
But in a heartbeat, a family dinner turns into Andreas’s worst nightmare. When the dust settles, one of his kids is hurt, and the other three have been abducted.
Andreas is going to find his kids, and nothing, not even a broken ankle, is going to stop him. Thank God for his sharp, level-headed partner . . . who has a crisis of his own pulling him away when Andreas needs him the most. As both men try to support—and lean on—each other, they get no closer to finding the kids. And the longer the children are missing, the less likely it is they’ll ever be found.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
